Esther Benjamin was a member of President Obama’s administration and served as the head of global operations for the Peace Corps from 2009 through March 2013. She is now CEO for Africa Operations with Laureate Education, a global leader in providing access to innovative institutions of higher education. She is responsible for developing and launching the company’s strategy for the Africa region. She will initially work from corporate headquarters in Maryland, but will relocate to Johannesburg, South Africa, this summer. Benjamin is a Trustee of North Central College.

Jeff Seaberg is a successful children’s playwright in the greater San Francisco area. He won a Tri Valley Hero Award for his work as a children’s theater teacher. When the town of Danville, CA, was looking for someone to create a children’s theater program 10 years ago, he jumped at the chance. Kids Acting On Stage summer drama camp ends with a production and mini-movie. His after-school program, Theatre Performance Workshop, is also in its 10th year. The group presented a holiday production, “A Very Jingle Town Christmas,” written by Seaberg. He recalls a crossroads in his life in 2003.

Roger Ulrich has published a book titled “Toward Living Well With Less” that compiles his own writings and articles written by others about him and the Lake Village Homestead Farm Cooperative in Kalamazoo, MI. The result is a story of his transitioning back to the roots of his Amish-Mennonite heritage, which resulted in the Lake Village farm. He has spent four decades there with the goal of returning to a simpler life and respecting the environment.

Five North Central College students give presentations based on international studies, coursework at College’s annual symposium on global human rights.

When North Central College recently hosted its second symposium on global human rights, the event included student presentations in addition to keynote addresses by experts in the field of global and environmental health.

North Central College will host sectional contest March 14 in the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Academic Challenge.

North Central College on March 14 will host sectional competition in the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Academic Challenge.

The Academic Challenge is a competitive series of tests created and administered by WYSE and offered to high school students in Illinois and Missouri. This competition has been hosted by North Central College for more than 10 years and is designed to present a challenge to the brightest students.

John Madormo, North Central College assistant professor of broadcast communication and general manager of WONC, is featured author of new novel at Anderson’s.

John Madormo, North Central College assistant professor of broadcast communication and general manager of WONC-FM 89.1, will be the featured author at Anderson’s Bookshops on Feb. 23 at a book signing event of his newest work, “The Camp Phoenix Caper.” Released Feb. 21, his new novel is the second book in the “Charlie Collier, Snoop for Hire” mystery series for middle-grade readers.

Celluloid, North Central’s student film club, presents 48-Hour Film Project on Feb. 22-24 for student filmmakers to create films in competitive environment.

Celluloid, North Central’s student film club, will host the 48-Hour Film Project on Feb. 22-24.

The 48-Hour Film Project is a chance for North Central College student filmmakers to create and showcase their films in a creative and competitive environment. Solo entrants or teams of students may participate and will be challenged to write, shoot and edit an original film within 48 hours, using a given prop, set piece and line of dialogue.

North Central College will host a symposium on Global and Environmental Health, featuring two keynote speakers with expertise on the subject—Augustine Afullo, Ph.D., and Christopher ‘Sola Olopade, M.D.—and sessions led by College faculty and students on Feb. 19.